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Did you know that about 1 in 7 of the more than 1 million Americans infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) don’t know they’re carrying the virus? And, about 1 in 4 people in the U.S. who test positive for HIV are tested too late to get the full advantage of treatment. The good news [...]

A healthy life is a good life. The Medicare benefits you’ve earned ensure that you can receive the care you need, when you need it. And, when it comes to Medicare benefits, the most important thing to remember is to apply for them at age 65. On your behalf, advocacy groups asked us to place [...]

Did you know Medicare and Medicaid turn 50 this week? The landscape of health care in America changed forever on July 30, 1965, when President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the landmark amendment to the Social Security Act, giving life to the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Medicare and Medicaid save lives. They help people live longer [...]

Women have unique health concerns, including certain types of cancers and high rates of chronic disease. Medicare covers many services to address these concerns, like a yearly wellness visit, bone mass measurement, cervical cancer screenings, mammograms, and cardiovascular screenings. Medicare also covers other preventive services, so talk to your doctor about risk factors and to [...]

Over 200,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year. Getting a yearly mammogram is the best way to find breast cancer early. Mammograms are breast cancer screening tests that can detect a lump before you or your doctor can feel it. This helps to detect breast cancer early, when it’s most treatable. All women [...]

It’s that time of year again—flu season! But if you get sick, think twice before going to your doctor for antibiotics. If you get a cold or flu, antibiotics won’t help. That’s because these are viral infections, and antibiotics only cure bacterial infections. Taking antibiotics when you don’t need them can be harmful. Every time [...]

Smoking tobacco can cause many diseases including heart disease, respiratory diseases, and lung cancer —the leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. Over 56 million people in the U.S. still smoke tobacco, but quitting can reduce your risk of getting these diseases. You can quit smoking today, and Medicare is here to help. Besides [...]

How much are you at risk for getting glaucoma? Glaucoma is an eye disease that causes loss of vision—usually side vision—by damaging the optic nerve, which sends information from your eyes to your brain. Fortunately, you can prevent vision loss by finding and treating problems early. Medicare covers a glaucoma test once every 12 months [...]

Choosing a provider of home health services can be overwhelming. Home health agencies can differ in the safety and quality of care they provide. That’s why we’ve made it easier to use the information on our Home Health Compare site by adding patient experience of care star ratings. Known as Home Health Care Consumer Assessment [...]

Diabetes affects 22 million people in the U.S.—are you one of them? Tuesday, March 22 is American Diabetes Association Alert Day, and it’s a great time to take the Diabetes Risk Test to find out if you’re at risk for developing type 2 diabetes, a disease where blood glucose levels are higher than normal. Type [...]